Is Maruti YRA global hatchback a Ciaz Sedan sans boot?

Images of a certain Maruti's premium hatchback have surfaced online which is supposed to be the Maruti YRA, as codenamed for the Indian markets. The images are rendered and are basically a rework on the newly launched Suzuki Ciaz. Maruti has also started testing this new premium hatchback, which for India, will be placed above Swift and below the soon-to-launch SX4 S-Cross.

The reason for using the Ciaz platfrom can be many: Ciaz uses a lightweight platform and delivers superb mileage. Infact, the Ciaz diesel is India’s most fuel efficient car with 26.21kmpl. Also, the petrol version of the sedan weighs 1,010 kg, which is only 45 kg more than the Swift’s 965 kg. More than any other reason, cost effectiveness is another major reason for Maruti to use the Ciaz’s platform.

Since the YRA will be placed above the Swift and will be one of the bigger hatchbacks in India, it will not be eligible for the sub 4-metre duty benefits and will levy an extra 20% duty as compared to the Swift's 8%. This is why sharing the components will not only benefit the company to achieve cost targets, but also price it well in the market.

The YRA is expected to use the same Ciaz's 1.4 litre petrol and 1.3 litre 90 PS diesel engines, but only in the base variants. The more expensive variants of the YRA could utilize the new 1.5 litre diesel engine, and the reported 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which Suzuki is been developing lately.

The kind of interior space YRA is speaking about, it will have no direct rival, albeit the soon to be launched Honda Jazz. The YRA could be expected in showrooms in the end of 2015, or by early 2016.